COVER PHOTO: The Red & White Store was located on the west side of South Main Street in Wayland. This was the first name brand store to sell grocery merchandise, food products, beverages, along with household supplies.
(Taken from the archives of the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr)
25 Years Ago — June 15, 1998
There have been reports that the gypsy moths have returned to plague area trees, but the Globe insisted these “creepy crawlies can be controlled.”
There were a few upsets in the annual school elections, which were marked light voter turnout. Roger VanVolkinburg and Perry Slater were elected to the Wayland Board of Education, succeeding Mike Browned and Roxie Muczynski, both of whom declined to seek another term
The Wayland High School baseball and softball teams saw their excellent seasons come to a close in regionals action. The softball ‘Cats lost a 1-0 heartbreaker in which a controversial call negated an RBI double by Candi Bala. Softball finished with an eye-popping 35-2 record. The Wildcat guys lost to Sturgis in the regionals on the same day.
Frank Kitson, who had connections to the “Field of Dreams” account of Ray Kinsella, was reported to be a native of Watson Township. He played in the Major Leagues from 1898 to 1907.
Regardless of whether A-42 will be called by that name, M-179 or Chief Noonday Road between U.S.-131 and Gun Lake, it has been designated as a Heritage Route and controlled by the state.
State Senator William VanRegenmorter and Allegan County Circuit Judge George Corsiglia have announced their re-election intentions.
Editor Nila Aamoth penned in her Soapbox about Flag Day, “In the far-off future, the banner symbolizing America’s philosophy may change — the physical appearance of the flag has been altered a number of times throughout our history, with no apparent ill effects on patriotism.”
John Baker of the Wayland VFW took the Globe to task in a letter for lack of coverage of the Memorial Day parade.
A meeting that attracted 80 discussed the props and cons of Selkirk Lake and Geneva Lake residents hooking up to the Gun Lake Area Sewer Authority. Pete Lumberts, sanitarian of the Allegan County Health Department, said, “Septic systems are finite. Everyone eventually has to pay to replace them. Sooner or later, you’ll meet me.”
The Wayland High School select choir performed a medley of songs from “Grfease” at the Grand Rapids Festival of the Arts.
Martin Reformed Church is planning a series of activities this summer to commemorate the church’s 75th anniverary.
A 25-acre parcel near Dorr Elementary and St. Peter’s Church is proposed for being the site of a 20-lot residential development.
Amanda Mae Bradshaw, 24, or Marne, died at Allegan General Hospitak after ingesting a bag of coacine during a traffic stop by Michigan State Police.
50 Years Ago — June 12, 1973
Marcia Lapham pulled off an upset, defeating incumbent Robert Hendrixson.
Jon DeYoung has been named chief executive offiver of the Moline State Bank, succeeding the late Joseph Haveman.
Allegan County voters approved a proposal to build a new facility to serve mentally ill and handicapped individuals.
Cleon Duryea and Carl Johnson tied with 116 votes apiece for a Hopkins Board of Education seat. The winner will be determined later by a drawing.
Mrs. Anthony Geib and Donald Sebright were elected to two open board seats in Martin.
Wayland High School juniors Paul Heckert and Alan Steines were chosen to attend Boys’ State in Lansing June 13-20.
Robert Jaskewicz has been named new Allegan County 4-H Youth Agent.
Wayland High School graduate Cathy Siefert has been selected to take part in the Hope College Vienna summer program.
The Wayland Union Schools’ summer band program will run for about six weeks.
Wayland finished third among the eight teams in the O-K Blue Conference all-sports trophy derby.
Sports writer David T. Young chose the first-ever local all-star baseball team. Making the special group were Ed Brewer, Martin, catcher; Gib Goodwin, Wayland, and Louis Stein, Hopkins, pitchers; Wayne Mills, Martin, first base; Tom Hildebrand, Martin, second base; Rick Merren, Wayland, shortstop; Scott Miller, Hopkins, third base; Con Mauchmar, Wayland, center field; Dave Koperaski, Wayland, right field, and Mike Pavlak, Hopkins, left field.
The Leighton Farm Bureau has decided not to have any meetings over the summer.
Cathy LaValley, daughter of Jerome and Irene LaValley of Wayland, is preparing to take part in the Miss Michigan pageant in Muskegon.
The Rev. Richard Birchard, a native of Bradley and a Wayland High School graduate, died of a heart attack in Nicaragua, where he was serving as a missionary.
75 Years Ago — June 18, 1948
Charles Andringa and Harry Elenbaas, vice preseident and secretary, respectively, of the Wayland Rotary Club, attended the 151st District Assembly at Grand Haven.
Bud Malmstone, a decorated veteran of World War II, has taken over as new owner of the Malmstone dry goods business, succeeding his brother, Thane.
John E. Sturgis, formerly of Wayland died in Ft. Wayland at the age of 75. He had been music editor of the Standard Publishing Co. in Cincinnati.
Mrs. Jennie Selkirk was injured in a fall during the Wednesday night celebration of the Cowbell Carnival.
Henry Amborski has purchsed Bill’s Sport Shop, making it “Hank’s Sport Shop.”
The Peg-Away Club of the Congregational Church will have a potluck dinner Monday, June 21. In charge of arrangements are Mrs. Martha Japinga, Mrs. Merle Peffley and Mrs. Ty Finkbeiner.
Boy Scout Troop #97, under the guidance of Dr. Arthur Larson, was raising pheasants and now has counted 283 birds for the project.
Donna Carey of Wayland was elected secretary of the Western Michigan College Players thespian group.
The Fairview District No. 5 had its annual school reunion and 63 pupils, teachers and guests attended.
Longtime Hopkins and Martin area farmer George H. Vanderkolk died at the age of 74 at the Delvista Sanitarium in Plainwell.
Now showing at the Wayland Theatre:
• Tom Conway as Bulldog Drummond in “13 Lead Soldiers.”
• Tim Holt and Lois Andrews in “Western Heritage.”
• Margaret O’Brien, Angela Lansbury and George Murphy in “10th Avenue Angel.”
• Cary Grant, Loretta Young and David Niven in “The Bishop’s Wife.”
100 Years Ago — June 15, 1923
Edward Burleson, a longtime local farmer, died at age 71 in Wayland.
Now showing at the Regent Theatre downtown: Norma Talmadge in “Smilin” Through,” Herbert Rawlinson in “Confidence” and “Hello Mars.”
The Terry Company will offer its production of “Uncle Tim’s Cabin” Wednesday, June 20.
Seventeen Wayland seniors were awarded diplomas at the high school commencement the Christian Church. The Rev. J.D. Livingstone delivered the lecture, “C.O.D.” One member of the graduating class, Harold Weaver, was unable to attend the ceremony because of an attack of the measles.
“Wayland Days” will be a three-day celebration Thursday, Friday and Saturday, June 28, 29 and 30. Included will be band concerts, a balloon ascension, ballgames and an ox roast barbecue.
Dr. Harold Hanlon has completed his medical studies in Chicago and Ann Arbor and now is taking the State Board Examination.
Ralph Culver, son of Mr. and Mrs. J.M. Culver of this village., has returned from New York, where he has been training in photography. He will establish a studio in Grand Rapids.
Duin’s “Peppy” Orchestra of Grand Rapids is performing Saturday evenings at Streeter’s Landing, Gun Lake.